CheckBox Pro Series

Spring is always a whirlwind. Between school events, travel, sports, and what Missy affectionately calls "May-hem," it can feel like life is moving at full speed. In this quarterly What's Saving My Life episode, Missy reflects on ten things that brought a little more joy, ease, and sustainability to her life between April and June 2026. From practical solutions like grocery pickup and snack prep t...

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with China Cardriche, founder of Power Public Schools, for a forward-thinking conversation about reimagining education for the future. China shares her journey from investment banking to the classroom and ultimately to school founding, driven by a belief that zip code should not determine access to quality education. After returning home,...

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Christine Keck, Founder of The Meliora School, for a candid conversation about the realities of planning year and what it takes to sustain yourself through the work of founding a school. Christine shares her journey into education, from choosing Teach For America over a move to London, to working across high-performing charter networ...

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Kristy Beam, Founder of the Academy for Innovation in Medicine (AIM), for an honest and energizing conversation about the realities of building a school from the ground up. Kristy shares her unexpected journey into education, from a young mom searching for a stable career to a longtime teacher and district leader who ultimately felt...

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with James Mosley, Superintendent of Yellowstone Schools, for a thoughtful and practical conversation on leadership, communication, and building systems that sustain both people and results. James shares his unexpected path into education, from initially pursuing law to discovering a deep passion for teaching and leadership. Now serving a...

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Tiana Stephenson, Founder and CEO of The Wright Community School, for a powerful conversation about purpose, persistence, and building a school with—and for—community. Tiana shares her journey into education, shaped by personal loss, a deep search for purpose, and a commitment to ensuring students feel seen, heard, and valued. That p...

In this quarterly What's Saving My Life episode, Missy reflects on the small (and surprisingly impactful) things helping her navigate the busy winter season—January through March. From systems that reduce mental load to simple routines that bring joy, this episode is a reminder that what sustains us doesn't have to be big or complicated. Sometimes, it's as simple as a shared calendar, a family sho...

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Nicholas Ditto, Founder of Fort Worth STEAM Academy, for an honest look at life in the middle of a school's planning season. Nicholas shares his journey from aspiring public defender to educator and now founder, driven by a deep belief that access to high-quality education shapes opportunity. He explains why middle school is such a c...

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Shonqualla West, Founder and Superintendent/CEO of Unparalleled Preparatory Academy, for an honest conversation about what it really means to lead during a school's founding year. Shonqualla shares how growing up in a small rural town with limited school choice shaped her belief that students deserve early opportunities to explore wh...

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Rosalind DaCruz, Founder and Executive Director of RISE Prep Academies. Rosalind shares her journey from Teach For America corps member and high school history teacher to founding a charter school just three years into her teaching career—and what it's been like to lead and grow that organization for nearly a decade. Rosalind reflect...

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Luke Savidge, Principal of Compass Midtown High School in Memphis, Tennessee. Luke shares his journey into education—from growing up in a family of educators, to teaching middle school, to stepping into high school leadership for the first time in his 15-year career. Luke offers a candid look at the realities of leading a high school...

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Rachael Sewards, Founder and Executive Director of Solare Collegiate Charter School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rachael shares her journey from Teach for America corps member in Memphis to founding one of the city's highest-performing public charter schools serving a historically underperforming community. She opens up about what it...

In this quarterly solo episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy shares her What's Saving My Life list for Fall 2025—a season she defines as October through December, otherwise known as the sprint to the end of the year. This episode is equal parts reflection, survival guide, and joy inventory, capturing the small habits, simple tools, and intentional choices that helped her stay grounded during o...

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Dr. Josh Pinto Taylor, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Anchor School in Atlanta, Georgia. Josh shares his journey from studying architecture to founding a charter school that blends academic excellence, student voice, and community impact. He reflects on the challenges of leading a growing school—running a thriving middle sc...

In this powerful episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Jasmin Dean, Founder and Executive Director of Celebrate Dyslexia and Celebrate Dyslexia Schools in San Antonio, Texas. What began as a mom's determination to help her son learn to read has grown into a movement reshaping how families, educators, and medical professionals understand and support dyslexia. Jasmin shares her jo...

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Aaron Wallace, Associate Education Director at Dynamic Minds Academy in Indiana—a public charter school serving students across the autism spectrum. Aaron shares how his untraditional path from college hockey player to educator led him to a school that blends academics and therapy in powerful ways. He talks about the importance of "b...

In this inspiring episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy talks with Dr. Leticia Archuleta, Executive Director of Health Leadership High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. With a background that bridges social work, education, and leadership, Dr. Archuleta shares how her school is redefining access and equity for students through a powerful blend of health education, community partnerships, and...

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Danielle Mack, Chief Executive Officer of Ethos Classical in Atlanta. Danielle shares her journey from teaching seventh grade math to founding and leading a thriving K–8 school community, one she trusted enough to enroll her own children in. She opens up about the challenges of leading through growth and transition, the importance of...

In this lighthearted solo episode, Missy shares her seasonal reflection on the small (and not-so-small) things that made her summer more joyful, manageable, and sustainable. From rediscovering lightning bugs to painting late-night walls, this list is equal parts nostalgic, practical, and honest. Think of it as her online diary—a moment to pause and name what's helping her show up well in work, lif...

In this episode, I sit down with Dana Stuart Browning, founder of The Texas Girls School, just five days after she opened the doors to her brand-new campus. Inspired by her daughter's experience in STEM, Dana shares her journey from classroom teacher to charter school founder and the vision behind creating a single-gender, STEM-focused, project-based learning environment for middle school girls in...

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Matt Cowan, Executive Director of Believe Memphis Academy, to talk about his journey from classroom teacher to school leader and the lessons he's learned along the way. Matt shares how adaptability has been his superpower—helping him thrive in chaotic seasons, lead through challenges like founding a school during COVID, and now navig...

In this special solo episode, host Missy Couch shares an exciting shift in the CheckBox Pro Series focus. While past episodes have featured subject-matter experts in education, Missy is pivoting to spotlight the real pros—school leaders who are in the trenches every day. She reflects on trends she's seeing in the field, from the loneliness many leaders feel to the hunger for connection and sustain...

Elizabeth Garcia is the Associate Director of Operations in the Development Office at Massachusetts General Hospital. However, in her former life she was the Director of School Operations at KIPP Academy Lynn Middle School, where she led an operations team supporting over 1,000 students and 200 staff members. She also managed the district's nutrition program, overseeing meal service for 2,200 stud...

In this episode, I sit down with Tyler Heath, Chief Operations Officer at Austin Achieve Public Schools, to discuss the importance of strong school operations and how he built an effective elementary school car rider dismissal process. Tyler shares insights into the operational challenges schools face, strategies for ensuring efficiency and safety, and key lessons for school leaders looking to ref...

In this episode, I sit down with ShaVanety Jones, an early career school psychologist, executive functioning coach, and founder of Academic Fusion LLC. With a unique background in psychology and theater, ShaVanety shares how she helps students—especially gifted learners—build confidence, develop essential life skills, and stay engaged through creative tools like improv and social-emotional storyte...